From “Sandman: Overture,” by Neil Gaiman and J.H. Williams III. (Courtesy of Vertigo.)

“THE SANDMAN: OVERTURE,” which Comic Riffs lauded as one of the best graphic novels of last year, was a big winner over the weekend at the 74th World Science Fiction Convention, MidAmeriCon II, in Kansas City, Mo.

Gaiman’s previous Hugo Awards have included recognition in the categories of novel (“American Gods“) and novella (“Coraline“), as well as best dramatic presentation (the Doctor Who episode “The Doctor’s Wife”).

Gaiman also nodded to the controversy of recent years as fan groups the Sad Puppies and the Rabid Puppies have urged the Hugo’s voting members to follow a specific slate of candidates. The author ridiculed such slates:

“It meant a lot to see ‘Sandman: Overture’ nominated for a Hugo Award and was disappointing to see that it had been dragged into the unfortunate mess that the pitiable people who call themselves Puppies had attempted to inflict on World Con and its awards. I would have withdrawn it from consideration, but even that seemed like it would have been giving these sad losers too much acknowledgment.”

Krysten Ritter has embraced her superhero title role for “Jessica Jones.” (Courtesy of Marvel/Netflix 2015)

Elsewhere at Saturday’s Hugo Awards, “Jessica Jones” won for best short-form dramatic presentation.

The Marvel/Netflix series, which stars Krysten Ritter, adds to its raft of honors, having won the Peabody Award and received three Saturn Award nominations, including for Ritter and David Tennant. The show was also nominated this year for a Television Critics Association Award.